July-August Newsletter

The popularity of gardening has gained the momentum of a river bursting into a waterfall. Backyard water gardens have come a long way since the labor-intensive concrete pools of the 1950's. Ongoing improvements have made the pleasures of water gardening accessible to all gardeners. Get your feet wet with the following information:

Mini to massive. The size of a water garden is limited only by your imagination. Garden centers are displaying the trend in miniaturized (some as small as 12 inches) water gardens to grace a table or foyer. The 'brook in a bowl' idea is perfect for apartment residents or anyone who wants the serenity of a water garden on a small scale.

Some homeowners like to think big. The typical backyard water pond has increased from an average 24 square feet in the 1950's to 100 square feet in the 1990's. Flexible liners made of enhanced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) drive this increase. Faster and much easier to install then concrete, PVC liners allow pond builders the freedom to create larger, more naturally shaped ponds.

Clean, not green. There are several methods of keeping pond water clear. Aeration isn't necessary if goldfish and water plants are stocked at the proper rate. However, as the fish population rises, so does the bio-load. Fortunately, pumps are now more economical and energy efficient than ever before.

The biggest splash in water gardening is ultraviolet sterilizers. Pond water passes through a chamber containing an ultraviolet light. This light kills only harmful, free-floating algae. Ultraviolet sterilizers are quick, completely effective means of keeping pond water clean without harming fish or beneficial wall-clinging algae. Liquid or powder enzymes are another, somewhat slower, method in the quest for clean water.

Moving Along. Considering the practical and aesthetic benefits, it's no surprise that over 90 percent of water gardens have moving water. Keeping water circulating does more then keep it clean. Some homeowners install water gardens outside their bedroom window to enjoy relaxing sound as they drift toward sleep.

Lovely Lilies. After a long period with few introductions, new colors and varieties of water lilies are now available. Exotic, yet hardy, lilies are shown in shades like salmon and peach. And exciting, exotic tropical water lilies can be selected to bloom at night, while you dine on our deck or patio.

Popularity. As little as ten years ago, the perception existed that the average gardener couldn't establish and maintain a water garden. Advancements in technology and an expanding field of knowledge have exploded that myth.

Fall blooming perennials and annuals. Start fall garden crops from seed now. Plenty of time to plant summer blooming annuals like Cosmos, Zinnia, Cleome, Cypress Vine, Tithonia.

Lawns with slow release fertilizer. Keep those vegetables well fed with foliar feed and organic fertilizers.

Watch for spider mites. Spray at three day intervals with Sun Spray Ultra Fine Horticulture Oil. For fireants, use Logic bait and safe mound drench like Pyrethrum-Rotenone. Boiling water poured on mound works well, too.

 Water:

Patio pots dry out quickly in summer heat. Check twice a day.

The Gift Corner

by Betty Hargrave

North Haven offers great ideas for summer gift giving with a special touch.

Tropical plants offer a suggestion of far away places with bright colored blooms. When you give tropical plants they will be enjoyed outside on the patio or terrace most of the year and add a special tropical touch to the garden room or just a bright window area during our short winter.

If you are looking for a truly unusual gift, be sure to look at our tabletop greenhouses. These have the charm of the Victorian Era and make a perfect touch for the garden room or breakfast area. Our tropical greenhouse has a wonderful selection of plants for these greenhouses.

Hummingbirds are now visiting us until mid-October. They will be looking for the bright red feeders in your garden as well as nectar from the flowers. Just fill the feeders with sugar water mixture and watch these fast flying birds as they dart through your yard.

Add special interest to the garden with a piece of statuary, a beautiful teak wood bench or table and chair set. We continue to have a nice selection of metal trellises both in black and the old rust design. Trellises add height to the garden in many places where there is not a space for a tree. A blooming vine or a climbing rose will be right at home on any one of our designs.

Our collection of ceramic plant holders continues to change. New sizes and styles are added regularly. We always keep a nice collection of blue and white pieces, as they remain very popular. Our wide selection of baskets in every size and many styles gives another choice for a plant's home. Just pop a plant into one of these and your gift is complete.

During the hot summer the gift of a book from the Book Nook is always a welcome addition to any gardeners book collection. We have a complete of general and specialty books, from Roses to Water Gardens.

Sometimes we just can't make up our mind on what to buy. That's the easiest of all as a North Haven Gift Certificate is always the perfect answer to gift giving.

See you soon at North Haven – your one stop shopping home.

 Pesticide Safety

By Lucy Ladybug

If you choose to use pesticides, chemical or organic, please use them wisely, safely, and with caution. First correctly identify the problem (insect or disease) that is causing the damage. Then select the pesticide for that specific problem. Use only when needed and according to label instructions. Before buying or using, Read the Label, as all pesticides are toxic and can be dangerous if used wrong. You can tell the toxicity level by the label:

 Danger means Highly Toxic

Warning means Moderately Toxic

Caution means Low Order or Toxicity

 Use the lowest toxicity possible for the problem. Pesticides can enter the body through the skin, mouth, and lungs, so always follow the label directions for safety precautions. Wear protective clothing if specified.

Keep pesticides out of reach of children and pets, and dispose of as prescribed on label. Don't spray or dust when heavy rain is predicted or winds are above 5 to 10mph. Use in early morning or late evening to protect bees. Do not spray when drift can go into areas where children play, in ponds, lakes, or streams. Incorrect usage can threaten our water supplies. Do not use on fruits and vegetables unless specified.

Use only the amount specified on the label. Pesticides are regulated by law and must be applied strictly according to label instructions. If not, you are risking injury to yourself, loved ones, and the environment. The user is always responsible for the effects of residue and any problems that can arise from drift to your neighbor's property.

1. Place a big red object near your feeder such as an umbrella, a beach ball, a towel, or a big red ribbon.
2. Have more than one feeder. Place multiple feeders out of sight of each other or in a line. The theory is that the dominant males (the ruby-throated ones) can't defend all the feeders at once.
3. Leave a few dead limbs for them to perch on. They like to sit in the open and contemplate life.
4. Add a water feature somewhere in your yard like a fountain, a birdbath, or a dripper. They like a place to bathe.
5. Don't use a lot of pesticides (chemical or organic). Hummers get protein from eating flies, gnats, aphids, spiders, and other insects. They are very sensitive to toxic materials.
6. Put your feeder out starting in late April. This is when hummers first arrive in our area. But don't be discouraged if you don't get any. They don't arrive in our area in any number until the first week of July.
7. Place the feeder in a shady spot if possible. This keeps the nectar cooler as summer heats up.
8. Clean the feeder with hot water (no soap of bleach) at each refill and replace the sugar water every 3 days.
9. The best recipe is 1 part sugar (no honey or artificial sweeteners) to 4 parts water. Do not add red food coloring. To make large quantities, boil for on minute, bottle and refrigerate
10. The best tip–Think Habitat First. The key word is diversity. Offer lots of flowers that bloom at different times. Here's a list of suggested plantings:

 Xeriscape is quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment using the following principles:

1. Start with a plan
2. Analyze and improve the soil
3. Use practical turf areas
4. Select appropriate plants
5. Use efficient irrigation to make every drop count.
6. Use mulches to conserve water and prevent weed growth.
7. Maintain appropriately.

 Go Native

Many Native Plants are well adapted to the hot and dry Texas summers. North Haven has a wide selection of Native Plants including:
Trees
Shrubs
Perennials
Ornamental Grasses